2016 Washington Nationals season
FP Santangelo, Johnny Holliday, Ray Knight) | ||
---|---|---|
Radio | WJFK 106.7 FM Washington Nationals Radio Network (Charlie Slowes, Dave Jageler) | |
|
The 2016 Washington Nationals season was the
Offseason
Team news
Less than 24 hours after the end of the 2015 season, manager Matt Williams and his entire coaching staff were dismissed.[1] Some coaches were offered other positions in the organization, with bench coach Randy Knorr notably accepting a position as senior assistant to general manager Mike Rizzo for player development.[2]
The Nationals embarked on a wide-ranging search to replace Williams, who was still owed salary for 2016 after being fired midway through a multi-year contract.[3] Among the candidates they interviewed were former Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, former Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach, Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Andy Green, San Francisco Giants bench coach Ron Wotus, former Nationals player Alex Cora, and Triple-A Reno Aces manager Phil Nevin. From the group, Baker and Black emerged as finalists and received second interviews.[4] On October 28, The Washington Post reported Black would likely be hired as manager.[5] But according to reports that surfaced late on November 2 from, among others, the Post, CBS Sports, and USA Today, while Black was offered the job and accepted, a disagreement over contract terms led to negotiations between the Nationals and Black breaking down. The Nationals' initial offer to Black was reportedly one year guaranteed at $1.6 million, an offer Black considered a "lowball".[6] Unable to come to terms with Black, the Nationals' front office turned to its other leading choice, the more experienced Baker.[7] Early on November 3, the Nationals announced Baker had been hired to a two-year contract as manager.[8][9]
Baker and management set to work immediately on hiring new coaches. Mike Maddux was announced as the Nationals' new pitching coach on November 4.[10] Davey Lopes was hired back to his former position as first base coach – a position he held in 2006 – the following day.[11] Rick Schu and Bob Henley were also rehired as hitting coach and third base coach respectively, positions they held under Williams as well.[12][13] The Nationals also hired former major league outfielder Jacque Jones to be Schu's assistant hitting coach and named former Montreal Expos shortstop Chris Speier as bench coach.[14][15] Mexican League manager and coach Dan Firova was brought on as bullpen coach.[16]
The Nationals also faced several decisions about what to do with players set to reach free agency, as well as players who had 2016 options. On November 2, the team announced it would decline options for right-handed reliever Casey Janssen and outfielder Nate McLouth, after Janssen struggled with injury and poor performance during the 2015 season and McLouth spent the entire year on the 60-day disabled list.[17] Janssen and McLouth joined utility infielder Emmanuel Burriss, shortstop Ian Desmond, starter-turned-reliever Doug Fister, outfielder Reed Johnson, center fielder Denard Span, left-handed reliever Matt Thornton, second baseman Dan Uggla, and starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann in a sizable free agent class.[18][19][20] Qualifying offers worth $15.8 million apiece were extended to Desmond and Zimmermann,[21] although both rejected them, as expected.[22] Right-handed reliever David Carpenter also elected free agency after being outrighted from the Nationals' 40-man roster on November 18, 2015.[23] On December 2, 2015, the Nationals announced they had not tendered a contract to right-handed reliever Craig Stammen, who was eligible for arbitration.[24]
The Nationals bid for contracts with multiple top free agents during the off-season, including Yoenis Céspedes, Jason Heyward, Darren O'Day, Justin Upton, and Ben Zobrist, but lost out on them to other teams.[25][26][27]
Transactions
- On November 16, 2015, the Nationals re-signed outfielder Reed Johnson and signed left-handed relief pitcher Sean Burnett to minor league deals with invitations to spring training.[28]
- On November 17, 2015, the Nationals signed outfielder Logan Schafer to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[29]
- On November 21, 2015, the Nationals re-signed infielder Scott Sizemore and signed outfielder Chris Heisey to minor league deals with invitations to spring training.[30]
- On December 10, 2015, the Nationals traded infielder Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for right-handed relief pitcher Trevor Gott and right-handed minor league starting pitcher Michael Brady.[31]
- On December 11, 2015, the Nationals signed left-handed relief pitcher Óliver Pérez[32] and right-handed relief pitcher Shawn Kelley.[33]
- On December 14, 2015, the Nationals signed right-handed relief pitcher Yusmeiro Petit, as well as right-handed relief pitcher Nick Masset, who accepted a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[34]
- On December 18, 2015, the Nationals signed left-handed relief pitcher Aaron Laffey to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[35]
- On December 23, 2015, the Nationals signed catcher Jhonatan Solano to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[36]
- On January 6, 2016, the Nationals signed infielders Triple-A Syracuse, with invitations to spring training.[38]
- On January 8, 2016, the Nationals traded right-handed relief pitcher Drew Storen to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named later.[39]
- On January 26, 2016, the Nationals signed right-handed starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[40]
- On February 2, 2016, the Nationals signed infielder Brendan Ryan to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[41]
- On February 17, 2016, the Nationals signed right-handed relief pitcher Matt Belisle to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[42]
- On February 18, 2016, the Nationals signed right-handed relief pitcher Burke Badenhop to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[43]
- On March 19, 2016, the Nationals released outfielder Logan Schafer from a minor league deal.[44]
- On March 25, 2016, the Nationals outrighted first baseman Triple-A Syracuse.[45] He was traded two days later to the Atlanta Braves for another minor league first baseman, Nate Freiman.[46]
- On March 29, 2016, the Nationals selected the contract of minor league right-handed relief pitcher Matt Belisle and added him to the 40-man roster.[47]
- On March 30, 2016, the Nationals released and resigned right-handed pitchers Bronson Arroyo and Burke Badenhop to minor league deals.[48]
- On April 1, 2016, the Nationals selected the contract of minor league outfielder Chris Heisey and added him to the 40-man roster[49] and released right-handed pitcher Burke Badenhop from a minor league deal.[50]
- On April 3, 2016, the Nationals released left-handed relief pitcher Sean Burnett and outfielder Reed Johnson from minor league deals.[51]
Spring training
On November 9, 2015, the Nationals and the
Meanwhile, the Nationals held their 2016 spring training in
The Nationals finished spring training in Viera with the best record in baseball, winning 18 games, losing four, and tying in three. They outscored their opponents by 81 runs in total.[55] After leaving Florida, the Nationals completed their spring training schedule with two exhibition games at Nationals Park at the beginning of April, a win and a tie against the Minnesota Twins. Including these two games, the Nationals completed their spring training schedule with a major-league-best record of 19–4–4.
Regular season
Opening Day
The Washington Nationals opened the regular season on April 4 with an away game at Turner Field, facing the division rival Atlanta Braves. Max Scherzer was their Opening Day starter for the second year in a row.[56]
The Nationals took an early lead when right fielder
The deadlock held until the bottom of the eighth inning, when Washington relief pitcher
First baseman Ryan Zimmerman reached and took second base on a throwing error by Braves second baseman Gordon Beckham in the top of the tenth inning, and then Murphy brought him around to score with a double that reached the left field corner, putting the Nationals on top 4–3.[56] Jonathan Papelbon came on to close out the game, retiring all three batters in order to pick up the save and secure an Opening Day win for Washington.[57]
Opening Day lineup
Opening Day Starters | |
---|---|
Name | Position |
Ben Revere | Center field |
Anthony Rendon | Third base |
Bryce Harper | Right field |
Ryan Zimmerman | First base |
Daniel Murphy | Second base |
Jayson Werth | Left field |
Wilson Ramos | Catcher |
Danny Espinosa | Shortstop |
Max Scherzer | Pitcher |
Season standings
National League East
W
|
L
|
Pct. | GB | Home | Road | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington Nationals | 95 | 67 | 0.586 | — | 50–31 | 45–36 |
New York Mets | 87 | 75 | 0.537 | 8 | 44–37 | 43–38 |
Miami Marlins | 79 | 82 | 0.491 | 15½ | 40–40 | 39–42 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 71 | 91 | 0.438 | 24 | 37–44 | 34–47 |
Atlanta Braves | 68 | 93 | 0.422 | 26½ | 31–50 | 37–43 |
National League Wild Card
Division Leaders | W
|
L
|
Pct. |
---|---|---|---|
Chicago Cubs | 103 | 58 | 0.640 |
Washington Nationals | 95 | 67 | 0.586 |
Los Angeles Dodgers | 91 | 71 | 0.562 |
(Top 2 teams qualify for postseason) |
Wild Card teamsW
|
L
|
Pct. | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
New York Mets | 87 | 75 | 0.537 | — |
San Francisco Giants | 87 | 75 | 0.537 | — |
St. Louis Cardinals | 86 | 76 | 0.531 | 1 |
Miami Marlins | 79 | 82 | 0.491 | 7½ |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 78 | 83 | 0.484 | 8½ |
Colorado Rockies | 75 | 87 | 0.463 | 12 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 73 | 89 | 0.451 | 14 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 71 | 91 | 0.438 | 16 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 69 | 93 | 0.426 | 18 |
Atlanta Braves | 68 | 93 | 0.422 | 18½ |
San Diego Padres | 68 | 94 | 0.420 | 19 |
Cincinnati Reds | 68 | 94 | 0.420 | 19 |
Record vs. opponents
Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | AZ | ATL | CHC | CIN | COL | LAD | MIA | MIL | NYM | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | STL | WSH | AL |
Arizona | — | 5–2 | 2–5 | 3–3 | 10–9 | 7–12 | 2–4 | 3–4 | 5–1 | 4–3 | 1–5 | 10–9 | 6–13 | 4–3 | 2–5 | 5–15 |
Atlanta | 2–5 | — | 3–3 | 3–4 | 1–6 | 1–5 | 11–7 | 2–5 | 10–9 | 11–8 | 3–4 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 4–15 | 8–12 |
Chicago | 5–2 | 3–3 | — | 15–4 | 2–4 | 4–3 | 4–3 | 11–8 | 2–5 | 5–1 | 14–4 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 10–9 | 5–2 | 15–5 |
Cincinnati | 3–3 | 4–3 | 4–15 | — | 5–2 | 2–5 | 3–4 | 11–8 | 0–6 | 4–2 | 9–10 | 3–4 | 3–3 | 9–10 | 3–4 | 5–15 |
Colorado | 9–10 | 6–1 | 4–2 | 2–5 | — | 7–12 | 2–5 | 1–5 | 6–1 | 2–5 | 2–5 | 10–9 | 9–10 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 9–11 |
Los Angeles | 12–7 | 5–1 | 3–4 | 5–2 | 12–7 | — | 1–6 | 5–2 | 4–3 | 4–2 | 2–5 | 11–8 | 8–11 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 10–10 |
Miami | 4–2 | 7–11 | 3–4 | 4–3 | 5–2 | 6–1 | — | 4–2 | 7–12 | 9–10 | 6–1 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–3 | 9–10 | 6–14 |
Milwaukee | 4–3 | 5–2 | 8–11 | 8–11 | 5–1 | 2–5 | 2–4 | — | 2–5 | 3–4 | 9–10 | 3–4 | 1–5 | 6–13 | 4–2 | 11–9 |
New York | 1–5 | 9–10 | 5–2 | 6–0 | 1–6 | 3–4 | 12–7 | 5–2 | — | 12–7 | 3–3 | 4–3 | 4–3 | 3–3 | 7–12 | 12–8 |
Philadelphia | 3–4 | 8–11 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 5–2 | 2–4 | 10–9 | 4–3 | 7–12 | — | 3–4 | 5–2 | 3–3 | 2–5 | 5–14 | 11–9 |
Pittsburgh | 5–1 | 4–3 | 4–14 | 10–9 | 5–2 | 5–2 | 1–6 | 10–9 | 3–3 | 4–3 | — | 3–3 | 4–3 | 9–10 | 2–4 | 9–11 |
San Diego | 9–10 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 4–3 | 9–10 | 8–11 | 3–3 | 4–3 | 3–4 | 2–5 | 3–3 | — | 8–11 | 1–6 | 4–3 | 6–14 |
San Francisco | 13–6 | 4–3 | 3–4 | 3–3 | 10–9 | 11–8 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 3–4 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 11–8 | — | 3–4 | 3–4 | 8–12 |
St. Louis | 3–4 | 4–2 | 9–10 | 10–9 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 3–4 | 13–6 | 3–3 | 5–2 | 10–9 | 6–1 | 4–3 | — | 2–5 | 8–12 |
Washington | 5–2 | 15–4 | 2–5 | 4–3 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 10–9 | 2–4 | 12–7 | 14–5 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 4–3 | 5–2 | — | 12–8 |
April
The Nationals got off to a fast start, sweeping the division rival Atlanta Braves in two series of six games total while riding out to a 9–1 win–loss mark, surpassing the start to the 1974 Montreal Expos season for the franchise best over the first 10 games of the season.[58] Right fielder and reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper hit his 100th career home run, also his first career grand slam, off Atlanta pitcher Julio Teherán on April 14.[59] He hit another grand slam off Miami Marlins pitcher Chris Narveson on April 19, amid a stretch in which the Nationals homered four times in one inning, another all-time high for the Montreal–Washington franchise;[60] the four home runs included left fielder Jayson Werth's 200th career home run and the 201st home run of first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's career.[61][62] In total, Harper cracked nine home runs in April, tied for second-most in the National League behind Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who hit 10 apiece.[63][64] He also chalked up his first career pinch-hit home run, a game-tying solo blast in the ninth inning, off Minnesota Twins closer Kevin Jepsen on April 24.[65] Harper was named the NL Player of the Month, the second time he received the honor.[66]
Washington's pitching staff performed well over the course of the month, behind only the Chicago Cubs in team ERA.[67] Closer Jonathan Papelbon, acquired in July 2015, more than doubled his save total with the Nationals (seven in 2015),[68][69] notching eight saves during the month[70] to one blown save against his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies.[71] Starters Joe Ross and Stephen Strasburg were undefeated in games they started, with Ross credited with three wins—he left one other start on April 20 with a lead that was held by the bullpen, but the scorers awarded the win to long reliever Yusmeiro Petit since Ross exited the game early due to a finger blister[72]—and Strasburg earning four.[73] Reliever Óliver Pérez picked up the win in the Nationals' longest-ever regular season game, a 16-inning matchup with the Minnesota Twins at Nationals Park on April 24, after tying the game in the 15th with a bunt that was mishandled for a two-base throwing error by Twins catcher John Ryan Murphy and then pitching a shutout frame before right fielder Chris Heisey hit a solo home run for a walk-off win.[65][74]
The Nationals struggled at times on offense, posting the third-worst batting average in the National League ahead of only the Braves and
In total, the Nationals finished April with a 16–7 record, the second-best winning percentage in baseball behind the Cubs, and a half-game lead over the New York Mets, their closest rivals in the National League East.[80]
May
On May 1, the Nationals completed their first-ever road sweep of the
On May 9, as
In the ninth inning of the May 9 game, which the Nationals won 5–4, Harper was ejected by home plate umpire Brian Knight after Knight took umbrage with the Nationals dugout's reaction to a called strike three on shortstop Danny Espinosa. Harper, clearly incensed by the ejection, ran onto the field with his teammates after pinch-hitter Clint Robinson hit a walk-off home run during the next at-bat, pointing at Knight and yelling, "Hey, fuck you," before joining the celebration at home plate. Asked if he thought he would be fined for the outburst after the game, Harper replied, "If I do, I do. I'll pay it. ... Maybe he'll get fined, too."[85][86] Harper was given a fine and a one-game suspension by Major League Baseball,[87] which Harper served on May 14 after dropping an appeal of the decision.[88]
In a 3–2 victory over the Tigers at Nationals Park on May 11, Max Scherzer struck out 20 in the course of pitching a six-hit complete game, tying the Major League Baseball record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game and becoming only the third player in Major League Baseball history to do so.[89][90][91] Through six innings, he threw 77 pitches, 62 of which were strikes. He set a new Nationals Park record for strikeouts in single game when he struck out Detroit shortstop José Iglesias for his 16th strikeout, set a new personal record in the next at-bat when he struck out pinch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia for his 17th,[92][93] and in the at-bat after that he ended the inning by striking out second baseman Ian Kinsler for his 18th, tying the Montreal-Washington franchise's single-game record.[94] Scherzer entered the ninth inning having thrown 106 pitches. He gave up a solo home run to right fielder J. D. Martinez on the first pitch of the inning, but in the next at-bat he struck out third baseman Miguel Cabrera to set a new Montreal-Washington franchise record with 19 strikeouts. After giving up a single to first baseman Víctor Martinez – the only Tiger who made a plate appearance that he did not strike out during the game – he struck out left fielder Justin Upton on three pitches for his 20th and final strikeout.[89][90] It was only the fourth time in Major League Baseball history that a pitcher had struck out 20 batters in a nine-inning game, and only the sixth time a pitcher had struck out at least 20 batters in any game.[95] Although Scherzer gave up more hits and more runs than any previous pitcher who had struck out 20 batters in nine innings, he did not issue any walks, and of the 119 pitches he threw, 96 were strikes, the first time a pitcher had thrown 96 strikes in a major-league game since 2013; taking into account both the number of strikes thrown and the ratio of strikes to balls, it was the greatest number of strikes thrown in the fewest pitches in Major League Baseball history.[92][96]
On May 13, in a 5–3 victory over the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park, Stephen Drew and Chris Heisey both hit pinch-hit home runs. It was the first time in team history that the Nationals had two pinch-hit home runs in the same game.[97] The two home runs made the Nationals second in Major League Baseball in pinch-hit home runs on the season with six in 35 games, three of them by Heisey.[97] The Nats had had only five pinch-hit home runs during the entire previous season.[98]
Between games of a doubleheader against the Marlins on May 14, the Nationals announced that they had exercised their two-year option on the contract of general manager Mike Rizzo, ensuring that Rizzo would remain with the club through the 2018 season. The option reportedly paid Rizzo $2.5 million annually.[99]
The Nationals split series with the division rival
On May 26, Nationals manager Dusty Baker won his 1,700th game as a manager as the Nationals defeated the Cardinals at Nationals Park.[103] Three days later, Strasburg improved to 9–0 for the season with a win over the Cardinals on May 29, setting a record for the Montreal–Washington franchise of 12 consecutive decisions won dating back to the 2015 season.[104] Daniel Murphy, the Nationals' starting second baseman, tied a franchise record for hits in a month with 47, including seven home runs.[105] Murphy was named the National League Player of the Month, the first time since 2009 that two teammates had received the honor in back-to-back months following Harper's award for April.[106]
The Nationals finished with a 16–14 record on the month and a season win–loss mark of 32–21, with a two-game lead over the Mets in the National League East.[107]
June
The Nationals started the month strong, despite losing two out of three in a series with the
Earlier in the Phillies series, in a 9–6 victory on June 10, Stephen Strasburg was credited with a win to go 10–0 on the season. He became the first National League pitcher to open a season at 10–0 since Juan Agosto did it for the Houston Astros in 1988 and the first National League starting pitcher to do it since Andy Hawkins started 11–0 for the San Diego Padres in 1985.[112]
After their 9–4 start to the month, the Nationals visited the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers in Southern California and then finished their roadtrip against the Milwaukee Brewers. Although the Nationals took the first two games of a four-game set from the Padres, they suffered a string of seven consecutive losses thereafter, splitting the series with the Padres, being swept by the Dodgers, and losing two of three to the Brewers.[113] The losing streak was the Nationals' longest since their 2009 season, in which they finished with the worst record in Major League Baseball, 59–103.[114]
Compounding the Nationals' late-June problems, Strasburg was placed on the disabled list with a back strain after missing two starts late in the month. Right-handed starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, the Nationals' top prospect and the #1-rated pitching prospect in all of baseball, was called up to replace him on the roster. Giolito made his first start June 28 against the New York Mets at Nationals Park, pitching four scoreless innings and allowing just one hit before a rainstorm delayed the game and prompted manager Dusty Baker to go to the bullpen when play resumed. The Nationals shut out the Mets 5–0, with the win awarded to Óliver Pérez in relief.[115]
The June 28 win over the Mets was part of a string of five wins to end the Nationals' month. On June 30, Washington starter Gio González snapped a streak of six losing decisions with a 13–4 win over the Reds at Nationals Park. Espinosa, a switch-hitter, also became the first National to hit a home run while batting both left- and right-handed during the June 30 game.[116]
The Nationals finished the month leading the National League East by six games over the Mets and six and a half games over the Miami Marlins. They posted a 16–11 win–loss record for June.[117]
July
Stephen Strasburg was reactivated from the disabled list minutes before gametime[118] on July 3 and proceeded to pitch 6+2⁄3 innings without allowing a hit to the Cincinnati Reds before manager Dusty Baker took him out of the game with a runner on third base and a pitch count in the triple digits.[119] Strasburg earned the win in the 12–1 Nationals victory, raising his record to 11–0[120] and becoming only the fourth pitcher in the past 75 years with as good a win–loss mark through his first 15 starts.[121] The Nationals hit six home runs in the game, their highest mark of the season.[122]
The Nationals placed starting pitcher Joe Ross on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation on July 3[123] and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the disabled list on July 8 with a ribcage strain. Infielder/outfielder Trea Turner was called up on July 8 to take Zimmerman's place on the roster.[124]
Pitching in his second start since returning from the disabled list on July 8, Strasburg picked up the win over the New York Mets in a 3–1 game to improve to 12–0 heading into the All-Star Break, becoming the first National League pitcher since Rube Marquard in 1912 to go 12–0 to start the season.[125][126] The Nationals took three games out of four from the Mets in the series at Citi Field to head into the All-Star Break with a 54–36 record and a six-game lead over both the Mets and the Miami Marlins in the NL East.[127]
Right-handed pitching prospect
The Dodgers handed Strasburg a loss, his first of the season, on July 21. The loss snapped a string of 16 winning decisions for the Nationals pitcher,
The Nationals announced a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 30, swapping left-handed reliever Felipe Rivero and minor league pitcher Taylor Hearn to the Pirates in exchange for right-handed reliever Mark Melancon and cash considerations.[140][141] The Washington Post reported that erstwhile closer Jonathan Papelbon had agreed to cede ninth-inning duties to Melancon and take up a different role out of the Nationals' bullpen.[142]
July ended with consecutive split series for the Nationals on the road while visiting the Indians and the Giants, coming on the back of two straight series losses at the hands of the Dodgers and the
August
The Nationals set a year-to-date team record for hits and runs scored in a rout of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on August 1. All nine Nationals starters had at least one hit, and all but starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg scored at least one run, in a 19-hit effort for the visitors, who defeated the Diamondbacks 14–1. Newly acquired closer Mark Melancon made his debut with the team, although it was not a save situation, and retired all three batters he faced.[145][146] The Nationals ultimately swept the Diamondbacks on the road for the first time since the franchise moved to Washington, D.C., in 2005.[147][148]
First baseman Ryan Zimmerman returned to the disabled list on August 6, having missed several games after being hit by a pitch on the wrist. Outfielder Brian Goodwin was called up to the major leagues for the first time to replace him on the Nationals' 25-man roster.[149] He made his debut that evening, going 0-for-1 with a deep flyout to right field in a loss versus the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park.[150]
Melancon secured his first save as a National on August 7 over the Giants, improving his season record to 31-for-33 in save opportunities.[151] Less than a week later, on August 13, the Nationals released reliever Jonathan Papelbon (whom Melancon had replaced as the team's closer) from his contract.[152] Rookie starting pitcher Reynaldo López, who temporarily replaced Papelbon on the roster, earned his first major league win that day over the Atlanta Braves in a tight 7–6 game, giving up one run over seven innings pitched.[153]
The Nationals placed left-handed reliever
Left fielder Jayson Werth tied the Montreal–Washington franchise record for consecutive games reaching base safely at 46,[157] before the streak was snapped by the Braves on August 19. The streak had begun nearly two months prior, on June 20 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. During the streak, he tallied 43 hits and 32 walks.[158] In another milestone for a Nationals player, second baseman Daniel Murphy hit his first career grand slam off Parker Bridwell in a 10–8 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on August 24.[159]
The Nationals made another trade for a reliever after Oakland Athletics left-hander Marc Rzepczynski was waived by his ballclub. Oakland agreed to swap Rzepczynski and cash considerations to the Nationals in exchange for minor league second baseman Max Schrock. The two teams announced the deal on August 25.[160] Rzepczynski made his Nationals debut on August 26, striking out Gerardo Parra of the Colorado Rockies before hitting Charlie Blackmon with a pitch, after which he was lifted from the game.[161] The Nationals won the August 26 game 8–5, giving starting pitcher Gio González his 100th career win.[162]
The Nationals closed out August by playing 20 games in 20 days without an off-day, a stretch over which they went 11–9,[163] winning two series against the division rival Braves,[164][165] dropping two series to the Rockies,[166] losing a home-and-home series to the Orioles in interleague play,[167] and finishing with a sweep of the division rival Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.[168] They finished the month nine games ahead of the second-place New York Mets and 11 games ahead of the third-place Miami Marlins in the National League East, boasting a 78–55 win–loss record: the second-best in the NL, behind only the Chicago Cubs, and the third-best in the major leagues, behind the Cubs and Texas Rangers.[169] After center fielder Trea Turner posted a .357 batting average and .571 slugging percentage for the month of August, he was named the NL Rookie of the Month.[170]
September
After rosters expanded at the start of the month, the Nationals made their initial round of callups on September 2. The team recalled
Rookie starting pitcher
Right-hander
On September 6, third baseman Anthony Rendon hit his first career grand slam off Braves pitcher Williams Pérez, putting the Nationals on top in a game they went on to win 9–7.[180] On September 9, rookie center fielder Trea Turner posted his first multi-homer game, hitting a two-run shot followed by a solo home run to walk off the division rival Philadelphia Phillies 5–4.[181] Latos, making his first start for the Nationals in a September 12 game against the Mets, became the first Nationals pitcher since 2014 to hit a home run,[182] contributing in an 8–1 victory over New York with his solo home run off Mets starter Rafael Montero.[183] In the Nationals' final game of the season against their New York rivals on September 14, a 1–0 win, second baseman Daniel Murphy went 1-for-2 with a walk, thereby recording at least one hit in every game he played against the team he was with during the previous season.[184] He became the first National League player in 12 years to hit in every game of a season series of at least 19 games[185] and set a record for the longest single-season hitting streak against a previous-year team dating back to the creation of divisions in the major leagues in 1969.[186]
As the Nationals closed in on the division championship, they were beset by a buttocks strain that took Murphy out of the lineup beginning September 18,[187][188] as well as a forearm injury that sidelined right-handed reliever Matt Belisle beginning September 8,[189] and lost back-to-back series against the division rival Braves and Miami Marlins on the road. In the latter series, on September 20, the team faced Marlins ace José Fernández in what would ultimately be his last pitching performance before his death in an accident five days later. The Nationals were shut out for the first time since the All-Star Break, with Fernández pitching eight innings while giving up just three hits, walking none, and striking out twelve in a winning performance.[190] The Nationals finally clinched the division title on September 24, as they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6–1 behind a short start by Ross and a long relief appearance by López, and the second-place Mets went down to defeat at the hands of the Phillies.[191]
Injuries put holes in the Nationals' starting lineup in the games after they clinched the division. Right fielder
Starting at second base for the Nationals, Difo recorded his first home run in a 5–3 win over the Diamondbacks on September 29, launching a pitch from left-hander
October
The Nationals won both games they played to end the regular season in October, earning a win in a three-game series and sealing the season series against the division rival Miami Marlins. Second baseman Daniel Murphy was in a narrow race with the Colorado Rockies' DJ LeMahieu for the batting title until the last day of the season, but with Murphy injured and LeMahieu not playing in order to preserve his small edge,[199] the race came down to a pinch-hit opportunity for Murphy against Miami on October 2, in which the National flied out to right to finish a little more than a point below LeMahieu.[200]
Nationals pitchers grabbed much of the attention as the season came to an end. On October 1, rookie starting pitcher
Trea Turner, the Nationals' center fielder and occasional second baseman and shortstop, was named Rookie of the Month in the National League for the second consecutive month. He hit .339 with eight home runs and 15 stolen bases over September and the first two days of October.[205]
Notable transactions
- May 9, 2016: The Nationals signed Stephen Strasburg to a seven-year contract extension.[206]
- June 8, 2016: The Nationals purchased minor-leaguer Steve Lombardozzi Jr. from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.[207]
- June 28, 2016: The Nationals released minor-leaguer Taylor Jordan.[208]
- June 29, 2016: The Nationals signed Mat Latos to a minor league deal.[209]
- July 19, 2016: The Nationals lost minor-leaguer Abel de Los Santos to the Cincinnati Reds on a waiver claim.[210]
- July 30, 2016: The Nationals traded Felipe Rivero and minor-leaguer Taylor Hearn to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Mark Melancon.[211]
- August 13, 2016: The Nationals granted Jonathan Papelbon his unconditional release.[212]
- August 19, 2016: The Nationals purchased minor-leaguer Sean Burnett from the Minnesota Twins.[213]
- August 25, 2016: The Nationals traded minor-leaguer Max Schrock to the Oakland Athletics for Marc Rzepczynski and cash.[214]
- September 26, 2016: The Nationals traded minor-leaguer
Major league debuts
- Lucas Giolito (June 28, 2016)
- Koda Glover (July 20, 2016)
- Brian Goodwin (August 6, 2016)
- Spencer Kieboom (October 2, 2016)
- Reynaldo López (July 19, 2016)
Culture and entertainment
In 2015, the Nationals had entered a three-year marketing partnership with the White House Historical Association in which the President of the United States honored in the Association's annual Christmas ornament each year also would appear that season as a Racing President in the Presidents Race at Nationals Park. In accordance with the agreement, Calvin Coolidge ("Cal") had joined the race in 2015 to become the sixth Racing President. Cal was retired after the 2015 season. In 2016, Herbert Hoover ("Herbie"), the 31st President of the United States, became the new sixth Racing President under the agreement with the Association, joining George Washington ("George"), Thomas Jefferson ("Tom"), Abraham Lincoln ("Abe"), Theodore Roosevelt ("Teddy"), and William Howard Taft ("Bill"). Herbie debuted on April 10, 2016, during a game against the Miami Marlins, and won his first race. Herbie was retired after the season.[216]
Attendance
The Nationals drew 2,481,938 fans at Nationals Park during 2016, their fifth-highest attendance since arriving in Washington in 2005. It placed them seventh in attendance for the season among the 15 National League teams.[217] Their highest attendance at a home game in Nationals Park was listed at 42,000 for the June 15 game against the Chicago Cubs, while the low mark was 17,161 for a game against the Atlanta Braves on September 6.[218] Their average home attendance was 30,641 per game, fifth-highest since their arrival in Washington.[219]
Game log
Legend | |
---|---|
Nationals win | |
Nationals loss | |
Postponement | |
Bold | Nationals team member |
2016 Game Log (95–67) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
April: 16–7 (Home: 8–4; Away: 8–3)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May: 16–14 (Home: 7–7; Away: 9–7)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
June: 16–11 (Home: 9–1; Away: 7–10)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
July: 13–12 (Home: 7–8; Away: 6–4)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
August: 17–11 (Home: 7–6; Away: 10–5)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September: 15–12 (Home: 10–5; Away: 5–7)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Postseason
Postseason game log
2016 Postseason Game Log (2–3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Division Series
Game 1, October 7
5:38 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Plans called for retired pitcher and former National
The game was billed as a marquee match-up between two of the best starting pitchers in Major League Baseball, Clayton Kershaw for the Dodgers and Max Scherzer for the Nationals, but neither starter was particularly sharp. with Nationals rookie Pedro Severino catching, Scherzer gave up a solo home run – the 32nd homer he had given up in 2016 – to the second batter he faced, Dodgers rookie shortstop Corey Seager, on his sixth pitch of the game. In the third inning, after Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley drove in left fielder Andrew Toles with an RBI single, Scherzer gave up his 33rd home run of the year, a two-run shot to Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, giving Los Angeles a 4–0 lead. The Dodgers did not score again; Scherzer did not allow another run before he left the game after six innings, and the Nationals bullpen also held them scoreless.[222]
Kershaw pitched five innings and held on to the lead, but the Nationals repeatedly pushed him to the brink, and his frequent discussions on the mound with Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal incited a chorus of boos from the crowd.[223] In the second inning, with two Nationals on base after Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman singled and Anthony Rendon reached first on a fielder's choice, Danny Espinosa – batting seventh instead of a probable eighth due to Ramos's unavailability – struck out for the second out. A Dodgers error then allowed Severino to reach first base and load the bases, but Scherzer popped out to end the inning without the Nationals scoring a run. In the third inning, Rendon singled to drive in two runs as part of what promised to be a big inning, cutting the Dodgers' lead to 4–2, but Espinosa struck out to end the inning with two men on base. Severino doubled in the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Trea Turner to reduce the Dodgers' lead to 4–3, but in the fifth, with Jayson Werth and Rendon on base, Espinosa again struck out to end the inning. Although he provided his typically reliable defense in the field during the game, Espinosa's strikeouts had left six men on base and brought three rallies to an end.[222]
Kershaw left the game after five innings and 101 pitches,
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Washington | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
WP: Clayton Kershaw (1–0) LP: Max Scherzer (0–1) Sv: Kenley Jansen (1) Home runs: LAD: Corey Seager (1), Justin Turner (1) WSH: None Attendance: 43,915 |
Game 2, October 9
1:08 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Originally scheduled to begin at 4:08 p.m. EDT on October 8, Game 2 was postponed due to rain and rescheduled for 1:08 p.m. EDT on October 9.[224] Retired first baseman and former National Adam LaRoche threw out the ceremonial first pitch, tossing it to his son Drake, who spent a great deal of time with the Nationals during his father's years on the team.[225][226]
Game 2 began much as Game 1 had: Washington's starting pitcher – Tanner Roark, starting Game 2 because Stephen Strasburg remained sidelined with an injury – struggled; for the second game in a row, Los Angeles shortstop Corey Seager hit a first-inning solo home run in the Dodgers' second at-bat of the game; and the Dodgers' starter, Rich Hill, struck out the side in the bottom of the first, as Clayton Kershaw had in Game 1.[227] The Nationals, meanwhile, again missed a chance at a big inning when reserve catcher José Lobatón, starting in the postseason due to the unavailability of the injured Wilson Ramos, hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end the second inning.[228]
The Dodgers added another run in the third inning on an RBI single by right fielder Josh Reddick; Bryce Harper made a good throw to the plate from right field, but Lobatón was unable to tag Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner out at home.[227] Dodgers starter Rich Hill used his curveball very effectively for 3+2⁄3 innings, and Los Angeles held a 2–0 lead in the bottom of the third when Lobatón came to bat again with two outs and Daniel Murphy and Danny Espinosa on base. Lobatón hit only the second postseason home run of his career,[228][note 1] and only the second postseason homer by a catcher in the history of the Montreal-Washington franchise,[226][note 2] driving in Murphy and Espinosa to give the Nationals a 3–2 lead, the first time they had taken the lead in the series.[228]
Although Roark had an uncharacteristically unsteady outing, the Dodgers were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position during the first five innings even though they had the bases loaded with one out three times,
Washington won 5–2 to even the series at 1–1.[228] It was the first come-from-behind postseason win for a Washington, D.C., Major League Baseball team since the Washington Senators came from behind to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4–3 in Game 3 of the 1925 World Series 91 years earlier on October 10, 1925.[226] It also was the Nationals' first postseason victory at home since a 2–1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the 2012 National League Division Series on October 11, 2012.
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Washington | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 5 | 9 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
WP: Blake Treinen (1–0) LP: Rich Hill (0–1) Sv: Mark Melancon (1) Home runs: LAD: Corey Seager (2) WSH: José Lobatón (1) Attendance: 43,826 |
Game 3, October 10
4:08 p.m. (
The Nationals put pressure on Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda from the outset, loading the bases in the first inning on a single and two walks; although they did not score, they forced him to throw 28 pitches. In the Dodgers' half of the first, Nationals starter Gio González – who had a set a goal for himself of pitching late into the game - walked Los Angeles third baseman Justin Turner; Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager then staked the Dodgers to a 1–0 lead in the first inning, as he had in both previous games of the series, this time with an RBI double that drove in Turner.[231]
The Nationals' offense erupted in the third inning. Center fielder Trea Turner singled, then scored to tie the game at 1–1 when left fielder Jayson Werth doubled. Right fielder Bryce Harper then singled, scoring Werth to give the Nats a 2–1 lead, and third baseman Anthony Rendon followed that with a 432-foot (132-meter), two-run home run into the left field seats, putting Washington ahead 4–1. Maeda left the game after the inning, having thrown 68 pitches.[231]
After the Dodgers scored their first-inning run, Gio González retired 11 of the next 12 batters he faced. However, throwing his 83rd pitch of the game with one out in the fifth inning, he gave up a two-run homer to Dodgers pinch-hitter
Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen came in to pitch the ninth inning, hoping to hold the score at 4–3 and give the Dodgers a chance to tie or win the game in the bottom of the inning. But Jayson Werth led off with a 450-foot (137-meter) home run into the left-field stands that quieted the crowd and gave the Nationals an important insurance run. Jansen then walked second baseman Daniel Murphy and hit Harper with a pitch and, after Rendon popped out, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman doubled off the right field wall, scoring both Murphy and Harper and knocking Jansen out of the game. By the time Washington pinch hitter Chris Heisey came to bat with a 7–3 lead, many Dodger fans were leaving the stadium; Heisey capped the inning by scoring Zimmerman with a sacrifice fly to make the score 8–3. Nationals closer Mark Melancon then pitched a perfect ninth to seal the victory, completing 4+2⁄3 scoreless innings by the Nationals' bullpen; in the series thus far, Nationals relievers had pitched 12+1⁄3 innings without yielding a single run, striking out 14 Dodgers.[231][232]
By the end of the game, Zimmerman was hitting .455 in the series, while Werth was hitting .417 and Murphy .400.[232] The win gave the Nationals a 2–1 lead in the series, their first lead in a postseason series since the first game of the 2012 National League Division Series.[231]
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Los Angeles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Sammy Solis (1–0) LP: Kenta Maeda (0–1) (1)Home runs: WSH: Anthony Rendon (1), Jayson Werth (1) LAD: Carlos Ruiz Attendance: 53,901 |
Game 4, October 11
5:08 p.m. (
Facing elimination, the Dodgers opted to have their ace starter Clayton Kershaw pitch again on only three days' rest. In the top of the first inning, the Nationals pressed him, with center fielder Trea Turner leading off with a walk and right fielder Bryce Harper following with a single, after which second baseman Daniel Murphy drove in Turner with an RBI single to give the Nationals a run in the first inning for the first time in the series. Nationals starter Joe Ross, however, had a rough first inning himself, hitting Los Angeles third baseman Justin Turner with a pitch and giving up a two-run homer to first baseman Adrián González.[233]
With a 2–1 lead, Kershaw then settled down, allowing Washington to tie the game at 2–2 in the top of the third with singles by Trea Turner and left fielder Jayson Werth and a sacrifice fly by Murphy that drove in Turner, but otherwise keeping the Nationals scoreless until the seventh inning. Ross, meanwhile, struggled. In the bottom of the third inning, he gave up a lead-off double to Kershaw; after keeping Kershaw at second and recording two outs, he allowed a single by Justin Turner that scored Kershaw, walked Adrián González and right fielder Josh Reddick to load the bases, and then hit center fielder Joc Pederson with a pitch, forcing Justin Turner home from third. Ross left the game with the Dodgers leading 4–2, having thrown 55 pitches in 2+2⁄3 innings, giving up four runs, all earned, on three hits and two walks, and striking out three.[233]
The Nationals bullpen faced another long outing. They stretched their streak of scoreless innings in the series to 14+1⁄3, but with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning,
Pitching the bottom of the eighth for Washington, Blake Treinen got the first two outs, but then hit Dodgers left fielder Andrew Toles with a pitch and gave up a single to pinch-hitter Andre Ethier, followed by a single by second baseman Chase Utley that drove in Toles to give the Dodgers a 6–5 lead. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen secured the Dodgers' victory with a perfect ninth in which he struck out two Nats, and Los Angeles tied the series at 2–2 to force a decisive Game 5 two nights later.[233]
Daniel Murphy's 2-for-3 performance in the game pushed his postseason average for 2016 to .462, and his four RBIs set a new Montreal-Washington franchise record for RBIs by a single player in a postseason game.[233][235] At the end of the game, the Nationals' bullpen ERA for the series stood at 1.02, with only two runs given up in 17+2⁄3 innings of work.[233] Washington's starters, in contrast, had pitched only 16+1⁄3 innings and given up 13 runs, with a 7.16 ERA for the series.[233]
When Blake Treinen hit Andrew Toles with a pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning, it set two new Major League Baseball records: It was the first time in history that one team's pitchers hit four batters with pitches in a single postseason game,[236] and it was also the first time that two teams had combined to hit 11 batters with pitches in the course of a single postseason series.[236]
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Los Angeles | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 6 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
WP: Joe Blanton (1–0) LP: Blake Treinen (1–1) Sv: Kenley Jansen (2) Home runs: WSH: None LAD: Adrián González (1) Attendance: 49,617 |
Game 5, October 13
8:08 p.m. (EDT) at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Retired pitcher and former National Liván Hernández had missed the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch in Game 1 when Hurricane Matthew made it impossible for him to fly from Florida to Washington for that game, but he threw out the first pitch for Game 5 instead.[237] For some the game carried an historic weight that would either confirm or change the narrative of the Nationals, their achievements, and their prospects for the future after their collapse in the 2012 NLDS and the impotence of their offense in the 2014 NLDS.[238] A Washington, D.C., MLB team had not won a postseason series since the Washington Senators won the 1924 World Series, the Montreal-Washington franchise had won only one playoff series in its history (in 1981, as the Montreal Expos), and the Nationals had never advanced beyond the NLDS in two previous tries. Two personal negative streaks also were on the line: Teams Dusty Baker managed had lost eight straight postseason elimination games in a row in which they had a chance to advance to the next round of the playoffs, and starting pitcher Max Scherzer had started three postseason elimination games in a row for his previous teams, all of them losses.
Scherzer held the Dodgers hitless until the fifth inning, when Los Angeles right fielder Josh Reddick finally singled. The Dodgers loaded the bases with two more singles, but Scherzer struck out pinch hitter Andre Ethier and got second baseman Chase Utley to ground out to end the inning without the Dodgers scoring. The Nats, meanwhile, staked Scherzer to a 1–0 lead off Dodgers starter Rich Hill in the bottom of the second inning when second baseman Daniel Murphy singled, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman walked, and shortstop Danny Espinosa singled to drive in Murphy. But they missed scoring opportunities that followed. In the third inning, center fielder Trea Turner singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a fly out and Murphy was intentionally walked and stole second, but Dodgers reliever Joe Blanton entered the game and got third baseman Anthony Rendon to line out to end the inning without driving either of them in. In the fifth inning, Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías walked right fielder Bryce Harper but then picked him off first. And in the sixth inning, after left fielder Jayson Werth walked, Zimmerman doubled with two outs and third base coach Bob Hendley ill-advisedly sent Werth home as he rounded third; the Dodgers cut Werth down at the plate easily to end the inning.[239]
The Nationals still clung to a 1–0 lead when disaster struck them in the top of the seventh inning, in which the Nationals used a single-inning record six pitchers. Los Angeles center fielder
Washington mounted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, when Espinosa led off with a walk and pinch-hitter
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Washington | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
WP: Julio Urías (1–0) LP: Marc Rzepczynski (0–1) Sv: Clayton Kershaw (1) Home runs: LAD: Joc Pederson (1) WSH: Chris Heisey (1) Attendance: 43,936 |
Postseason Rosters
Playoff rosters | |
---|---|
National League Division Series
|
Roster
2016 Washington Nationals | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
|
Catchers
Infielders
|
Outfielders
Other batters |
Manager
Coaches
|
Statistics
Regular season
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average; OBP = On-base percentage; SLG = Slugging percentage; SB = Stolen bases
Complete regular-season offensive statistics are available here.
Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP | SLG | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matt Belisle | 40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Sean Burnett | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
A. J. Cole | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Matt den Dekker | 19 | 34 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .176 | .282 | .294 | 1 |
Wilmer Difo | 31 | 58 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .276 | .364 | .379 | 3 |
Stephen Drew | 70 | 143 | 24 | 38 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 21 | .266 | .339 | .524 | 0 |
Danny Espinosa | 157 | 516 | 66 | 108 | 15 | 0 | 24 | 72 | .209 | .306 | .378 | 12 |
Lucas Giolito | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .250 | .250 | 0 |
Koda Glover | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Gio González | 32 | 52 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .135 | .148 | .173 | 0 |
Brian Goodwin | 22 | 42 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .286 | .318 | .429 | 0 |
Trevor Gott | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Matt Grace | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Bryce Harper | 147 | 506 | 84 | 123 | 24 | 2 | 24 | 86 | .243 | .373 | .441 | 21 |
Chris Heisey | 83 | 139 | 18 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 17 | .216 | .290 | .446 | 0 |
Shawn Kelley | 67 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Spencer Kieboom | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1.000 | – | 0 |
Mat Latos | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .333 | .333 | 1.333 | 0 |
José Lobatón | 39 | 99 | 10 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | .232 | .319 | .374 | 0 |
Reynaldo Lopez
|
11 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .083 | .083 | .083 | 0 |
Rafael Martin | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Mark Melancon | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Daniel Murphy | 142 | 531 | 88 | 184 | 47 | 5 | 25 | 104 | .347 | .390 | .595 | 5 |
Jonathan Papelbon | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Óliver Pérez | 64 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .667 | .667 | 1.000 | 0 |
Yusmeiro Petit | 36 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 | .167 | .167 | 0 |
Wilson Ramos | 131 | 482 | 58 | 148 | 25 | 0 | 22 | 80 | .307 | .354 | .496 | 0 |
Anthony Rendon | 156 | 567 | 91 | 153 | 38 | 2 | 20 | 85 | .270 | .348 | .450 | 12 |
Ben Revere | 103 | 350 | 44 | 76 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 24 | .217 | .260 | .300 | 14 |
Felipe Rivero | 47 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Tanner Roark | 34 | 54 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .125 | .188 | .141 | 0 |
Clint Robinson | 104 | 196 | 16 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 26 | .235 | .305 | .332 | 0 |
Joe Ross | 23 | 41 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .244 | .295 | .293 | 0 |
Marc Rzepczynski | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Max Scherzer | 34 | 70 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .186 | .208 | .200 | 0 |
Pedro Severino | 16 | 28 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .321 | .441 | .607 | 0 |
Sammy Solis
|
37 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Stephen Strasburg | 24 | 48 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .208 | .240 | .229 | 0 |
Michael A. Taylor
|
76 | 221 | 28 | 51 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 16 | .231 | .278 | .376 | 14 |
Blake Treinen | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Trea Turner | 73 | 307 | 53 | 105 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 40 | .342 | .370 | .567 | 33 |
Jayson Werth | 143 | 525 | 84 | 128 | 26 | 0 | 21 | 69 | .244 | .335 | .417 | 5 |
Ryan Zimmerman | 115 | 427 | 60 | 93 | 18 | 1 | 15 | 46 | .218 | .272 | .370 | 4 |
Team Totals | 162 | 5490 | 763 | 1403 | 268 | 29 | 203 | 735 | .256 | .326 | .426 | 121 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
Complete regular-season pitching statistics are available here.
Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matt Belisle | 0 | 0 | 1.76 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 46.0 | 43 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 32 |
Sean Burnett | 0 | 0 | 3.18 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5.2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
A. J. Cole | 1 | 2 | 5.17 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 38.1 | 37 | 24 | 22 | 7 | 14 | 39 |
Lucas Giolito | 0 | 1 | 6.75 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 21.1 | 26 | 18 | 16 | 7 | 12 | 11 |
Koda Glover | 2 | 0 | 5.03 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 19.2 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
Gio González | 11 | 11 | 4.57 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 177.1 | 179 | 98 | 90 | 19 | 59 | 171 |
Trevor Gott | 0 | 0 | 1.50 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 6.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
Matt Grace | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Shawn Kelley | 3 | 2 | 2.64 | 67 | 0 | 7 | 58.0 | 41 | 19 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 80 |
Mat Latos | 1 | 1 | 6.52 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 9.2 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 10 |
Reynaldo López | 5 | 2 | 4.91 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 44.0 | 47 | 27 | 24 | 4 | 22 | 42 |
Rafael Martin | 0 | 0 | 2.45 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3.2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Mark Melancon | 1 | 1 | 1.82 | 30 | 0 | 17 | 29.2 | 21 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 27 |
Jonathan Papelbon | 2 | 4 | 4.37 | 37 | 0 | 19 | 35.0 | 37 | 18 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
Óliver Pérez | 2 | 3 | 4.95 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 | 38 | 22 | 22 | 4 | 20 | 46 |
Yusmeiro Petit | 3 | 5 | 4.50 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 62.0 | 67 | 33 | 31 | 12 | 15 | 49 |
Felipe Rivero | 0 | 3 | 4.53 | 47 | 0 | 1 | 49.2 | 43 | 26 | 25 | 4 | 15 | 53 |
Tanner Roark | 16 | 10 | 2.83 | 34 | 44 | 0 | 210.0 | 173 | 72 | 66 | 17 | 73 | 172 |
Joe Ross | 7 | 5 | 3.43 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 105.0 | 108 | 43 | 40 | 9 | 29 | 93 |
Mark Rzepczynski
|
0 | 0 | 1.54 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 11.2 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
Max Scherzer | 20 | 7 | 2.96 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 228.1 | 165 | 77 | 75 | 31 | 56 | 284 |
Sammy Solis
|
2 | 4 | 2.41 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 41.0 | 31 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 21 | 47 |
Stephen Strasburg | 15 | 4 | 3.60 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 147.2 | 119 | 59 | 59 | 15 | 44 | 183 |
Blake Treinen | 4 | 1 | 2.28 | 73 | 0 | 1 | 67.0 | 51 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 31 | 63 |
Team Totals | 95 | 67 | 3.51 | 162 | 162 | 46 | 1459.2 | 1272 | 612 | 570 | 155 | 468 | 1476 |
Team leaders
Qualifying players only.
Batting
Stat | Player | Total |
---|---|---|
Avg. | Daniel Murphy | .347 |
HR | Daniel Murphy | 25 |
RBI |
Daniel Murphy | 104 |
R | Anthony Rendon | 91 |
H | Daniel Murphy | 184 |
SB | Trea Turner | 33 |
Pitching
Stat | Player | Total |
---|---|---|
W |
Max Scherzer | 20 |
L |
Gio González | 11 |
ERA | Tanner Roark | 2.83 |
SO | Max Scherzer | 284 |
SV | Jonathan Papelbon | 19 |
IP | Max Scherzer | 228.1 |
Postseason
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average; OBP = On-base percentage; SLG = Slugging percentage; SB = Stolen bases
Complete postseason offensive statistics are available here.
Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP | SLG | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilmer Difo | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Stephen Drew | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Danny Espinosa | 5 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .143 | .333 | .143 | 0 |
Gio González | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Bryce Harper | 5 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .235 | .458 | .294 | 3 |
Chris Heisey | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .250 | .200 | 1.000 | 0 |
Shawn Kelley | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
José Lobatón | 4 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .222 | .222 | .556 | 0 |
Reynaldo López | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Mark Melancon | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Daniel Murphy | 5 | 16 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .438 | .545 | .438 | 2 |
Óliver Pérez | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Anthony Rendon | 5 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .150 | .190 | .300 | 0 |
Tanner Roark | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Clint Robinson | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .667 | .667 | 1.000 | 0 |
Joe Ross | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Marc Rzepczynski | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Max Scherzer | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Pedro Severino | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .100 | .100 | .200 | 0 |
Sammy Solis
|
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Michael Taylor
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 |
Blake Treinen | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Trea Turner | 5 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .318 | .333 | .318 | 2 |
Jayson Werth | 5 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .389 | .522 | .667 | 1 |
Ryan Zimmerman | 5 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .353 | .450 | .471 | 0 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR = Home runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
Complete postseason pitching statistics are available [1]
Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gio González | 0 | 0 | 6.23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4.1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Shawn Kelley | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Reynaldo López | 0 | 0 | 4.50 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Mark Melancon | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4.1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
Óliver Pérez | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Tanner Roark | 0 | 0 | 4.15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4.1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Joe Ross | 0 | 0 | 13.50 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Mark Rzepczynski
|
0 | 1 | 4.50 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
Max Scherzer | 0 | 1 | 3.75 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12.0 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
Sammy Solis
|
1 | 0 | 1.93 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4.2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Blake Treinen | 1 | 1 | 6.75 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2.2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Awards and honors
All-Stars
- Bryce Harper, OF
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Wilson Ramos, C
- Stephen Strasburg, P
- Max Scherzer, P
The 2016 Nationals sent five players to the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game; in the National League, only the Chicago Cubs had more players selected for the game, with seven. The Nationals set a new team record for the number of players selected for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game since the franchise relocated to Washington in 2005; previously, the record for Nationals in an all-star game was four, in 2012.[240][241]
The selection of four Nationals players was announced on July 5:
- Bryce Harper was voted in as a starting outfielder for the game,[242] with 2,865,095 fan votes, his fourth all-star selection; his previous selections were in 2012, 2013, and 2015. It was his third all-star start and the third time he had been voted in as a starter.[240]
- Daniel Murphy was selected as a reserve second baseman.[242] It was his second all-star selection, the first having been in 2014 when he was with the New York Mets. He narrowly missed being voted in as a starter, losing in fan voting to Ben Zobrist of the Chicago Cubs 3,013,407 to 3,013,319, a difference of only 88 votes.[240]
- Wilson Ramos was selected as a reserve catcher for the National League All-Star Team,[242] his first all-star selection. He finished third in fan voting, which Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants won.[240]
- Stephen Strasburg was selected as a pitcher. It was his second all-star selection, the first having been in 2012.disabled list after a back injury. Strasburg traveled to the game and participated in festivities.[241]
At the same time it announced Strasburg's unavailability, Major League Baseball announced that Max Scherzer had replaced him on the National League roster. It was Scherzer's fourth overall and fourth consecutive all-star selection; he previously had been selected for the American League roster representing the Detroit Tigers in 2013 and 2014 and for the National League team representing the Nationals in 2015.[241]
Annual awards
Players' Choice Award
On November 9, 2016, Daniel Murphy received the Players' Choice Award for Outstanding Player in the National League. In 2016, Murphy led the National League with a .595 slugging percentage, .985 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, and 47 doubles, and his .347 batting average was second only to that of DJ LeMahieu, who hit .348 for the Colorado Rockies. Murphy hit 25 home runs and had 104 runs batted in and a .390 on-base percentage. During the seven-game 2016 National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he had a .438 batting average and drove in six runs.[243]
Silver Slugger
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- Wilson Ramos, C
On November 10, 2016, it was announced that Daniel Murphy and Wilson Ramos had won the National League Silver Slugger Award for their respective positions. It was the first time either of them had won a Silver Slugger.[244] It was the fifth season in a row, and the seventh time in eight seasons, that at least one National won a Silver Slugger
During the 2016 season, Murphy finished in the top two among National League second basemen in every major offensive category: He was first in home runs (25), runs batted in (104), slugging percentage (.595), and wins above replacement (5.5) and second in batting average (.347) and on-base percentage (.390). His lowest monthly on-base-plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 2016 was .830, and his OPS exceeded 1.000 in three different months. He was the National League Player of the Month for both May and July 2016.[244]
Ramos played in a career-high 131 games in 2016. Among National League catchers, he finished first in slugging percentage (.496), tied for first in runs batted in (80), second in home runs (22), and third in on-base percentage (.354).[244]
Cy Young Award
On November 16, 2016, the Baseball Writers' Association of America named Max Scherzer the winner of the 2016 National League Cy Young Award. Scherzer won the award in a landslide, receiving 25 of the 30 first-place votes and 192 points. It was Scherzer's second Cy Young; his first had come in 2013 when he pitched in the American League for the Detroit Tigers. He became only the sixth pitcher in history to win the award in each league, and the first to so since Roger Clemens in 2004.[245][246][note 3]
During the 2016 regular season, Scherzer posted a record of 20–7 – the only National League pitcher to win 20 games – and had an ERA of 2.96, a
Scherzer's award was the second Cy Young won by a Montreal-Washington franchise player and the first since Pedro Martínez won it in 1997 for the Montreal Expos.[245] It was the first Cy Young ever won by a player for any Washington, D.C., Major League Baseball team.[245]
Esurance MLB Awards
- Best Pitcher: Max Scherzer
- Best Performance: Max Scherzer
On November 18, 2016, Max Scherzer was revealed as the winner of two
Comeback Player of the Year
On November 29, 2016, Major League Baseball announced that
Although Dmitri Young had won the Players Choice Award for Comeback Player of the Year as a National in 2007, Rendon became the first player in Montreal-Washington franchise history to win the Major League Baseball Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Farm system
Level | Team | League | Manager |
---|---|---|---|
AAA | Syracuse Chiefs
|
International League | Billy Gardner Jr. |
AA | Harrisburg Senators | Eastern League
|
Matthew LeCroy |
A-Advanced
|
Potomac Nationals | Carolina League | Tripp Keister |
A
|
Hagerstown Suns | South Atlantic League | Patrick Anderson |
A-Short Season
|
Auburn Doubledays | New York–Penn League | Jerad Head |
Rookie
|
GCL Nationals
|
Gulf Coast League
|
Josh Johnson |
Rookie
|
DSL Nationals | Dominican Summer League | Sandy Martinez
|
Notes
- ^ José Lobatón's only previous postseason home run had been a walk-off homer for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013. (See DiNitto, Marcus, "MLB playoffs 2016: Three takeaways from Nationals' NLDS Game 2 win over Dodgers," sportingnews.com, October 9, 2016.)
- ^ The only previous postseason home run by a catcher for the Montreal-Washington franchise was by Gary Carter for the Montreal Expos in 1981. (See DiNitto, Marcus, "MLB playoffs 2016: Three takeaways from Nationals' NLDS Game 2 win over Dodgers," sportingnews.com, October 9, 2016.)
- Cleveland Indians in 1972 and the San Diego Padres in 1978; Pedro Martínez with the Montreal Expos in 1997 and the Boston Red Sox in 1999 and 2000; Randy Johnson with the Seattle Mariners in 1995 and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002; Roy Halladay with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010; and Roger Clemens with the Boston Red Sox in 1986, 1987, and 1991, the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 and 1998, the New York Yankees in 2001, and the Houston Astros in 2004. (See Axisa, Mike, "MLB Awards: Nationals' Max Scherzer named 2016 NL Cy Young winner," cbssports.com, November 16, 2016and Anonymous, "Double the Dominance," The Washington Post, November 17, 2016, Page D1.)
- . (See Anonymous, "Max Scherzer's case for the Cy Young award," The Washington Post, November 17, 2016, Page D5.)
References
- ^ "Washington Nationals fire manager Matt Williams". ESPN. October 5, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Wagner, James (October 12, 2015). "Randy Knorr, Bobby Henley and Matt LeCroy stay with the Nationals in new roles". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Wagner, James (October 6, 2015). "Ron Gardenhire, Dusty Baker interested in Nationals managerial vacancy". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ "Nationals expected to bring in Bud Black, Dusty Baker for more interviews". The Washington Post. October 23, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ "Nationals expected to name Bud Black next manager". The Washington Post. October 28, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Nightengale, Bob (November 2, 2015). "Nationals, Dusty Baker in talks after Bud Black deal hits snag". USA Today. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Heyman, Jon (November 2, 2015). "In twist, Nationals to offer Dusty Baker manager job". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ "Nats reverse course, hire Dusty Baker as manager". ESPN. November 3, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Draper, Kevin (November 3, 2015). "Dusty Baker Named Washington Nationals Manager After They Cheap Out On Bud Black". Deadspin. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Nightengale, Bob (November 4, 2015). "Nationals hire Mike Maddux as pitching coach". USA Today. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (November 5, 2015). "Nationals hire Davey Lopes as first base coach". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
- ^ "Rick Schu regresa a los Nacionales como coach de bateo" (in Spanish). Metrord.do. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ Johnson, Chris (November 24, 2015). "Dusty Baker keeps Bob Henley as Nationals' third base coach (with Logan Schafer note)". MASN Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
- ^ "Nats bring back Schu, after all; add Jacque Jones, Speier". USA Today. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
- ^ Wagner, James (December 8, 2015). "Candid as usual, Dusty Baker faces backlash". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ^ Brostowitz, Kyle (December 15, 2015). "Nationals formally announce 2016 Major League coaching staff". Curly W Live. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ^ Freemyer, Jordan (November 2, 2015). "Nationals decline contract options on Nate McLouth, Casey Janssen". MLB Daily Dish. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Meyerrriecks, Jim (October 15, 2015). "Which Washington Nationals free agents will receive a qualifying offer?". Federal Baseball. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ "Potential free agents". San Diego Union Tribune. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- ^ Kerr, Byron (October 23, 2015). "Does Dave Martinez have a better shot at Nats' skipper spot this time around?". MASN Sports. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
- ^ "Nats make qualifying offers to RHP Zimmermann, SS Desmond". USA Today. November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (November 13, 2015). "Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann reject Nationals' qualifying offers as expected". Federal Baseball. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (November 18, 2015). "Nationals outright David Carpenter off 40-Man roster, Carpenter elects for free agency". Federal Baseball. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
- ^ Kerzel, Pete (December 2, 2015). "Nationals avoid arbitration with Moore, Lobaton (Stammen is lone non-tender)". MASN Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
- ^ Johnson, Chris (December 13, 2015). "Rizzo disappointed Heyward passed on offer, talks Escobar trade and adding depth". MASN Sports. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ^ Rosenthal, Ken (January 20, 2016). "Sources: After missing out on Upton, Nationals pursuing Yoenis Cespedes". FOX Sports. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
- ^ Rohan, Tim (January 23, 2016). "After a Double About-Face, Yoenis Cespedes is Back in Queens". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ Johnson, Chris (November 16, 2015). "Reed Johnson and Sean Burnett heading back to Nats spring training". MASN Sports. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Logan Schafer". Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (November 21, 2015). "Nationals sign Scott Sizemore, Chris Heisey to minor league deals". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ DiGiovanna, Mike (December 10, 2015). "Angels acquire Nationals infielder Yunel Escobar for reliever Trevor Gott". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
- ^ Comak, Amanda (December 11, 2015). "Nationals agree to terms with LHP Oliver Perez". Curly W Live. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ Brostowitz, Kyle (December 11, 2015). "Nationals agree to terms with RHP Shawn Kelley". Curly W Live. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ Johnson, Chris (December 14, 2015). "Nationals finalize deal with Yusmeiro Petit, sign Nick Masset". MASN Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ Keeler, Ricky (December 18, 2015). "Washington Nationals Sign Aaron Laffey To Minor League Deal". District on Deck. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
- ^ Wagner, James (December 23, 2015). "The Onion returns on a minor league deal". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ^ Dybas, Todd (January 6, 2016). "Nationals sign second baseman Daniel Murphy, shortstop Stephen Drew". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (January 13, 2016). "Washington Nationals outright Erik Davis and Taylor Hill to Triple-A Syracuse". Federal Baseball. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
- ^ Comak, Amanda (January 8, 2016). "Nationals acquire OF Ben Revere from Toronto Blue Jays". Curly W Live. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
- ^ Rapp, Timothy (January 26, 2016). "Bronson Arroyo to Nationals: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ Ladson, Bill (February 2, 2016). "Nats agree with infielder Ryan on Minors deal". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ Adams, Steve (February 17, 2016). "Nationals Sign Matt Belisle To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ "Washington Nationals give Burke Badenhop a shot". UPI. February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals' Logan Schafer: Granted release". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- ^ Zuckerman, Mark (March 25, 2016). "Tyler Moore clears waivers, outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse". MASN Sports. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ Links, Zach (March 27, 2016). "Nationals, Braves Trade Tyler Moore For Nate Freiman". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- ^ Hughes, Chase (March 29, 2016). "Nats select contract to add veteran reliever to 40-man roster". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (March 30, 2016). "Nationals Release, Re-Sign Bronson Arroyo, Burke Badenhop". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ "Nats option den Dekker, Gott to Triple-A; Heisey on roster". WTOP. April 1, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Adams, Steve (April 6, 2016). "Rangers, Burke Badenhop Agree To Minors Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ Roa, Pablo (April 3, 2016). "Washington Nationals release Sean Burnett, Reed Johnson in final preseason roster moves". District on Deck. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ Wagner, James, "Nationals, Astros break ground on new spring training facility", washingtonpost.com, November 9, 2015, 7:05 p.m. EST.
- ^ "Doris, Tony, "New first name for Ballpark of the Palm Beaches: Fitteam," February 16, 2018, 3:35 p.m. EST". Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ Dorsey, David, "Washington Nationals heading to West Palm Beach", news-press.com, February 12, 2015, 12:37 a.m. EST.
- ^ Wagner, James (March 30, 2016). "Nationals finish spring with the best Grapefruit League record. Will it matter?". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Reddington, Patrick (April 4, 2016). "Washington Nationals 4-3 over Atlanta Braves on RBI double by Daniel Murphy in 10th". Federal Baseball. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ Slate, Rich (April 4, 2016). "Jonathan Papelbon pitched a 1-2-3 10th w/1 K for the save". Twitter. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
- ^ Townsend, Mark (April 17, 2016). "The Walk Off: Nationals win seventh straight, improve to 9-1". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Harper's 100th homer a mighty grand slam". MLB.com.
- ^ "Watch: Bryce Harper's grand slam highlights four-HR inning for Nats". Sports Illustrated. April 19, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Lingebach, Chris, "Nationals Explode For 4-Home Run, 7-Run 7th Inning to Beat Marlins 7-0," washington.cbslocal.com, April 19, 2016, 10:50 p.m. EDT.
- ^ "Werth belts 200th career home run". The Washington Post. April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
- ^ Saunders, Patrick (May 1, 2016). "Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado lead MLB homer parade". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Healey, Tim (April 30, 2016). "NEIL WALKER: SECOND TO NONE". Sports on Earth. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ a b Ginsburg, David (April 24, 2016). "Harper, Perez Set up Heisey's HR in 16th, Nats Sweep Twins". ABC News. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (May 2, 2016). "Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper named NL Player of the Month for April". Federal Baseball. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Defense Lifts Nats Pitchers". The Nats Blog. May 1, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Walsh, Tyler (September 30, 2015). "Jonathan Papelbon: A National Tragedy". Georgetown Voice. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Matz, Eddie (September 25, 2015). "Jonathan Papelbon's suspension just another plot twist in bullpen reality show". ESPN. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals' Jonathan Papelbon: Earns eighth save Friday". CBS Sports. April 30, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Salisbury, Jim (April 17, 2016). "Papelbon takes failure in stride: 'We won the (bleeping) series'". Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Zuckerman, Mark (April 20, 2016). "After Ross' early departure, Petit saves Nationals bullpen". MASN Sports. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Buterbaugh, Mark (May 1, 2016). "Series Review: Nats sweep the Cards for the first time in St. Louis". DC Pro Sports Report. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Chris Heisey homers in 16th to give Nationals marathon win over Twins". USA Today. April 24, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Einhorn, Justin (April 21, 2016). "Twins-Nationals Preview". Fox Sports. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Keeler, Ricky (May 1, 2016). "Washington Nationals April 2016 Month In Review". District on Deck. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (April 6, 2016). "Ben Revere lands on the DL with oblique strain; Matt den Dekker called up". Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Wagner, James (April 27, 2016). "Sammy Solis called up as Matt Belisle lands on the DL; Ben Revere could return next weekend". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (April 28, 2016). "Philadelphia Phillies sweep Washington Nationals with 3-0 win in series finale in D.C." Federal Baseball. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ "Standings and Games on Saturday, April 30, 2016". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (May 1, 2016). "Washington Nationals sweep three-game set in St. Louis with 6-1 win over Cardinals". Federal Baseball. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Snyder, Matt (May 8, 2016). "Cubs give Bryce Harper the Barry Bonds treatment, sweep Nationals". CBS Sports. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ a b c Wagner, James, and Adam Kilgore, "No one expected a Stephen Strasburg extension. Then Scott Boras made a call," washingtonpost.com, May 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c Fendrich, Howard, "Strasburg's 2012 shutdown helped lead to $175M, 7-year deal," Associated Press, May 10, 2016.
- ^ Shamburger, Michael (May 9, 2016). "Bryce Harper Ejected, Yell's F-bomb at Umpire After Nationals Win". The Big Lead. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ Tinsman, Brian (May 9, 2016). "Updated: Harper Ejected by Ump, Gets Last Word (Video)". CBS DC. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ Bradley, Pat (May 11, 2016). "Bryce Harper Suspended For F–Bomb, But Is MLB Missing The Point?". New England Sports Network. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ Collier, Jamal (May 14, 2016). "Harper drops appeal of 1-game suspension". MLB.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Janes, Chelsea, "Max Scherzer matches MLB record with 20 strikeouts in win over Tigers," washingtonpost.com, May 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Svrluga, Barry, "A feat rarer than a perfect game: The five times pitchers struck out 20," washingtonpost.com, May 12, 2016.
- ^ The only previous nine-inning, 20-strikeout performances were by Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox against the Seattle Mariners on April 29, 1986, by Clemens of the Red Sox against the Detroit Tigers on September 18, 1996, and by Kerry Wood of the Chicago Cubs against the Houston Astros on May 6, 1998.
- ^ a b Svrluga, Barry, "Special K's: Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout night is an ode to efficiency," washingtonpost.com, May 11, 2016.
- ^ Scherzer previously had struck out 17 batters in pitching a no-hitter for the Washington Nationals against the New York Mets on October 3, 2015.
- ^ The previous Montreal-Washington franchise record of 18 strikeouts was set by rookie Montreal Expos starting pitcher Bill Gullickson in a game against the Chicago Cubs on September 10, 1980.
- ^ The only previous 20-plus-strikeout performances other than the ones in nine-inning games by Clemens and Wood were 20 strikeouts by Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks in a game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 8, 2001, in which he recorded 20 strikeouts in the first nine innings but pitched into the 10th inning, and 21 strikeouts by Tom Cheney of the Washington Senators, who struck out 21 while pitching 16 innings against the Baltimore Orioles on September 12, 1962.
- ^ In what could be considered the previous record, Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros threw 98 strikes in 125 pitches in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2001, meaning that 78.4% of his pitches were strikes, but Scherzer threw only two fewer strikes in six fewer pitches, meaning that 80.7% of his pitches were strikes. It was the first time that a Major League Baseball pitcher had thrown 96 strikes in a game since Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants threw 96 strikes in 148 pitches (64.9% strikes) in a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres in 2013. Earlier in 2013, Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers threw 96 strikes in 132 pitches (72.7% strikes) in an 8+2⁄3-inning outing against the Washington Nationals, and in 2012 Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers threw 96 strikes in 132 pitches (72.7% strikes) against the New York Yankees (See Svrluga, Barry, "Special K's: Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout night is an ode to efficiency," washingtonpost.com, May 11, 2016 and Svrluga, Barry, "A feat rarer than a perfect game: The five times pitchers struck out 20," washingtonpost.com, May 12, 2016).
- ^ a b Janes, Chelsea, "Nationals bench makes a little bit of history with pinch-hit power," washingtonpost.com, May 14, 2016, 8:00 a.m. EDT.
- ^ Wagner, James, "Bryce Harper's two-run HR powers Nationals past Marlins, 5-3," washingtonpost.com, May 13, 2016, 11:07 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Wagner, James, "Nationals pick up GM Mike Rizzo's two-year option," washingtonpost.com, May 14, 2016, 6:37 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b Wagner, James (May 19, 2016). "Matt Harvey, Mets no match for Nationals in series finale". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ "Matz wins 7th straight, Mets beat Nats 2-0 to take series". ESPN. May 25, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Carig, Marc (May 24, 2016). "Matt Harvey hammered again in Mets' loss to Nationals". Newsday. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Brewer, Jerry, "Believe in Dusty Baker because he believes in the Nationals," washingtonpost.com, May 29, 2016, 6:53 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Standig, Benjamin (May 29, 2016). "Strasburg improves to 9-0, Nationals down Cardinals 10-2". CSN Philly. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (June 1, 2016). "Nationals' 2B Daniel Murphy ties franchise record for hits in a single month..." Federal Baseball. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy named NL Player of the Month". MASN Sports. June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ "Standings - May 31, 2016". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (June 5, 2016). "Nationals' closer Jonathan Papelbon bends again... but doesn't break in Nats' 10-9 win". Federal Baseball. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ a b "Nats sweep Phils on Werth's walk-off hit". MLB.com. June 12, 2016. Archived from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ Nichols, Dave (June 9, 2016). "Washington Nationals 1, Chicago White Sox 3: Gio's shaky first costs Nats in low-offense game". Federal Baseball. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ a b Kerr, Byron (June 15, 2016). "Werth completes another walk-off win as Nats beat Cubs 5-4 in 12". MASN Sports. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ Matz, Eddie, "Nationals' Stephen Strasburg goes totally '80s, improves to 10-0," espn.go.com, June 11, 2016, 1:31 a.m. EDT.
- ^ Boswell, Thomas (June 28, 2016). "For Nats, nothing like a brutal road trip to find out who you really are". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ Shiferaw, Daniel (June 26, 2016). "Gonzalez' continued struggles highlight Nats' loss to Brewers". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ "Lucas Giolito impresses in debut, Nationals beat Mets". 12 News. June 28, 2016. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Ginsburg, David (June 30, 2016). "Finnegan rocked hard as Reds fall to Nationals 13-4". The Washington Times. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ "Standings - June 30, 2016". MLB.com. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (July 3, 2016). "Nationals to wait until game time to activate Stephen Strasburg". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Snyder, Matt (July 3, 2016). "Stephen Strasburg pulled in the middle of a no-hit bid in his first start back from DL". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Roseberry, Eric (July 3, 2016). "All hail Danny Espinosa, Nationals beat Reds 12-1". Red Reporter. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ "11-0 or better in First 15 Starts". Twitter. @ESPNStatsInfo. July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (July 3, 2016). "Unbeaten Strasburg is unhittable in Nationals' 12-1 win over Reds". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Kerr, Byron (July 3, 2016). "Joe Ross to disabled list with right shoulder inflammation". MASN Sports. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Zuckerman, Mark (July 8, 2016). "Turner, Taylor recalled; Zimmerman to DL; Giolito to Syracuse". MASN Sports. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Mike (July 8, 2016). "Unbeaten Strasburg Pitches Nationals Past Banged-up Mets 3-1". ABC News. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Ladson, Bill (July 8, 2016). "Strasburg the first NL starter to open 12-0 since 1912". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (July 10, 2016). "Washington Nationals 3-2 over New York Mets: Nats end first-half with three straight in NY". Federal Baseball. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Janes, Chelsea, "Reynaldo Lopez's debut is a win for the organization, a loss for the Nats," washingtonpost.com, July 19, 2016, 10:36 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals – Box Score – July 19, 2016 – ESPN
- ^ a b mlb.com LAD vs. WSH 07/19/2016
- ^ Starkey, Ted (June 8, 2010). "Strasburg sets Nationals record in debut". The Washington Times. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ Eisenhauer, Mark, "Reynaldo Lopez's major league debut has a rocky start, solid ending," washingtontimes.com, July 19, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (July 20, 2016). "Three up, three down: Koda Glover works quickly in his major league debut". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ Gulizia, Anthony (July 21, 2016). "Stephen Strasburg's 16-game win streak snapped by Dodgers in Nationals' loss". The Washington Times. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ Zuppe, T.J. (July 27, 2016). "On The Ramifications Of Not Turning Two, Strasburg Outduels Carrasco, Some Rare Left-Handed Relief, Lucroy Rumors". CBS Cleveland. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ "Nats activate 1B Ryan Zimmerman". ESPN. July 26, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals place Stephen Drew on DL with dizziness". ESPN. July 27, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Hughes, Chase (July 29, 2016). "NATS PLACE C JOSE LOBATON ON DISABLED LIST, CALL UP SEVERINO". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Frantz, Bryan (August 1, 2016). "Ryan Zimmerman Booed After Being Hit by Pitch, Tips Helmet to Fans". CBS DC. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ McCauley, Janie (July 30, 2016). "Nationals acquire Melancon from Pirates". Newsday. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- ^ Cotillo, Chris (July 30, 2016). "Nationals acquire Mark Melancon from Pirates". MLB Daily Dish. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- ^ Castillo, Jorge (July 30, 2016). "Jonathan Papelbon says he's on board with Nationals' trade for Mark Melancon". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
- ^ Hughes, Chase (July 31, 2016). "NATS BATS GO COLD, DEFENSE MAKES KEY MISTAKES IN LOSS TO GIANTS". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ Zuckerman, Mark (August 3, 2016). "Murphy, Strasburg are latest Nationals to win monthly awards". MASN Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (August 2, 2016). "Washington Nationals 14-1 over Arizona Diamondbacks: Stephen Strasburg now 15-1". Federal Baseball. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Hughes, Chase (August 2, 2016). "NATS SET SEASON-HIGH FOR RUNS AND HITS IN BLOWOUT VICTORY OVER D-BACKS". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Jageler, Dave (August 3, 2016). "The Nats-DBacks at Chase Field has never had one team sweep the other, so the Nats hope to change that today". Twitter. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ "Diamondbacks swept by Washington Nationals". AZCentral. August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ Wray, Miles (August 6, 2016). "Nationals place Ryan Zimmerman on DL". Today's Knuckleball. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ "Nunez gets 3 extra-base hits off Strasburg, Giants top Nats". Boston Herald. August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (August 7, 2016). "Washington Nationals 1-0 over San Francisco Giants: Tanner Roark leads Nats to series win". Federal Baseball. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (August 13, 2016). "Washington Nationals officially release reliever Jonathan Papelbon..." Federal Baseball. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (August 13, 2016). "Washington Nationals 7-6 over Atlanta Braves: Reynaldo Lopez leads Nats, earns first MLB win..." Federal Baseball. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ "Sammy Solis to disabled list, Koda Glover recalled by Washington Nationals". The Washington Times. August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (August 19, 2016). "Washington Nationals blow lead, but beat Atlanta Braves, 7-6 on Clint Robinson single in 9th". Federal Baseball. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- ^ "Nats place Stephen Strasburg on DL with elbow injury: Five things to know". CBS Sports. August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Werth tied the Montreal-Washington franchise record of 46 consecutive games reaching base safely set by Rusty Staub with the 1969 Montreal Expos. (See Casaletto, Lucas, "Werth ties franchise record with 46-game on-base streak," thescore.com, August 18, 2016.)
- ^ Ladson, Bill (August 20, 2016). "On-base streak ends, but Werth gets job done". MLB.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Frantz, Bryan (August 25, 2016). "A List of Crazy Things That Happened in Wednesday's Nats Game". CBS DC. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ Adams, Steve (August 25, 2016). "Nationals Acquire Marc Rzepczynski". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (August 26, 2016). "Washington Nationals 8-5 over Colorado Rockies: Trea Turner, Jayson Werth and Daniel Murphy lead Nats' offense". Federal Baseball. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ Janes Chelsea, "Nationals' Gio González takes it to 100 wins in beating the Rockies," washingtonpost.com, August 26, 2016.
- ^ Collier, Jamal (September 1, 2016). "Nats complete tough 20-game stretch on high note". MLB.com. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ "Harper doubles in return, Roark pitches Nats past Braves". USA Today. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (August 21, 2016). "Errors, tired bullpen catch up to Nationals in series finale against Braves". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Kosmider, Nick (August 28, 2016). "Rockies beat Nationals 5-3, taking another series from a first-place team". The Denver Post. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ "Scherzer pitches gem as Washington Nationals salvage finale". Augusta Free Press. August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Gelb, Matt (August 31, 2016). "Nationals sweep Phillies, spoil Morgan's night". The Inquirer. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ "Standings - August 31, 2016". MLB.com. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (September 3, 2016). "Trea Turner named National League Rookie of the Month". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ Zuckerman, Mark (September 2, 2016). "Burnett, Latos among September call-ups (den Dekker DFA)". MASN Sports. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals' Matt den Dekker: Outrighted to Triple-A". CBS Sports. September 4, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ Tinsman, Brian (September 4, 2016). "Nats' Reynaldo Lopez Throws Three Wild Pitches". CBS DC. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ Dybas, Todd (September 6, 2016). "Nats call up Giolito and Difo from minors". The Washington Times. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (September 2, 2016). "Washington Nationals 4-1 over New York Mets: A. J. Cole impresses in Citi Field". Federal Baseball. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
- ^ Hughes, Chase (September 5, 2016). "TURNER'S BIG DAY LEADS NATS OVER BRAVES, ELIMINATES ATLANTA IN NL EAST". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ Keeler, Ricky (September 7, 2016). "Washington Nationals: Stephen Strasburg Exits Start Early Against Braves". District on Deck. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ Collier, Jamal (September 8, 2016). "Strasburg out indefinitely with forearm strain". MLB.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (September 18, 2016). "Joe Ross returns to the Nationals' rotation: "He looked very good. He looked sharp."". Federal Baseball. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ Kerr, Byron (September 6, 2016). "Nats rally on Rendon's grand slam (Nats win 9-7)". MASN Sports. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (September 9, 2016). "Trea Turner's walk-off blast lifts Nationals to 5-4 win over Phillies". Federal Baseball. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ Gio González had been the most recent Nationals pitcher to homer during a regular-season game, hitting one on April 2, 2014. Like Latos' home run, González's home run also came against the New York Mets, was also hit off a Dominican-born pitcher (Bartolo Colón), and was also a solo shot. (See Brown, David, "Gio González unnecessarily and hilariously sprints around bases after hitting homer," sports.yahoo.com, April 3, 2014.)
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (September 12, 2016). "Starter Mat Latos homers as Nats thump Mets, 8-1". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ Axisa, Mike (September 14, 2016). "Daniel Murphy had a hit in all 19 games against the Mets this season". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ Among National League players, Derrek Lee had most recently accomplished the feat during the 2004 season for the Chicago Cubs against the division rival St. Louis Cardinals. In the American League, José Altuve of the Houston Astros did the same against the Oakland Athletics during the 2015 season. (See MLB Statistics, "Hits in every game vs a team in a season since 1960 (min 19 G)," twitter.com, September 14, 2016.)
- ^ Murphy's 19-game hitting streak against the Mets also surpassed the mark set by Lou Brock prior to the divisional era—Brock hit in 17 straight games against the Cubs during the Cardinals' 1965 season—for games against a previous-year team with a hit. (See Reddington, Patrick, "Hits in all 19 GAMES vs Mets sets records - Daniel Murphy - Topps NOW," federalbaseball.com, September 15, 2016.)
- ^ "Nationals' Daniel Murphy: Out of lineup Sunday". CBS Sports. September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ Zuckerman, Mark (September 23, 2016). "Murphy shut down for weekend with buttocks strain". MASN. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ a b Hughes, Chase (September 29, 2016). "RELIEVER MATT BELISLE SOUNDS LIKE SAFE BET FOR NATIONALS PLAYOFF ROSTER". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ "Marlins ace Jose Fernandez killed in Miami boating accident". The Washington Post. September 25, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (September 24, 2016). "Nationals clinch third NL East title with win over Pirates, Mets' loss to Phillies". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (September 27, 2016). "Nationals' A. J. Cole suspended for five games by MLB for throwing at Pirates' Jung Ho Kang". Federal Baseball. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea (September 27, 2016). "Nationals' Wilson Ramos out for the season with torn ACL". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ Castillo, Jorge (September 26, 2016). "Sammy Solis off the disabled list and ready for Nationals' playoff push". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ Whyno, Stephen (September 27, 2016). "Scherzer finds his form, Rendon homers as Nats beat D-Backs". The Daily Progress. Retrieved September 27, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Fendrich, Howard (September 29, 2016). "Segura's pursuit of Diamondbacks' hit record slowed by cramp". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ McLennan, Jim (September 29, 2016). "Diamondbacks 3, Nationals 5: Snakes slither home". AZ Snake Pit. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ "Standings - September 30, 2016". MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ "Rockies plan to sit LeMahieu to preserve batting title". Fox Sports. September 30, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- ^ a b c Zuckerman, Mark (October 2, 2016). "Could Murphy pinch-hit and win batting title? (Nationals win 10-7)". MASN Sports. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals' A. J. Cole: Drops suspension appeal". CBS Sports. October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- ^ Driver, David (October 2, 2016). "Tanner Roark wins No. 16; Washington Nationals edge Miami Marlins 2-1". UPI. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- ^ Scherzer was both the only pitcher in Major League Baseball to bat in four runs in a single game and the only pitcher in the National League to win at least 20 games during the 2016 season, accomplishing both feats on the last day of the regular season. (See Zuckerman, Mark, "With 20th win in the books, Scherzer now looks to postseason," masnsports.com, October 2, 2016.)
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (October 2, 2016). "Washington Nationals 10-7 over Miami Marlins: Max Scherzer wins 20th in regular season finale". Federal Baseball. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- ^ Hughes, Chase (October 3, 2016). "NATIONALS' TREA TURNER WINS NL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH AWARD AGAIN". CSN Mid-Atlantic. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ Dybas, Todd (May 9, 2016). "Stephen Strasburg signs contract extension with Nationals". The Washington Times. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Leitzell, Kevin (June 6, 2016). "Nationals sign Steve Lombardozzi, send him to minors after independent league stint". The Washington Times. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals release Taylor Jordan to make roster space for Lucas Giolito". NBC Sports. June 28, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Collier, Jamal (June 29, 2016). "Nationals sign Latos to Minor League deal". MLB.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Rosecrans, C. Trent (July 19, 2016). "Reds claim RHP Abel De Los Santos off waivers from Nationals". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Corcoran, Cliff (July 30, 2016). "Nationals shore up bullpen with deal for All-Star closer Mark Melancon". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ "Nationals release former closer Jonathan Papelbon". USA Today. August 13, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Reddington, Patrick (August 19, 2016). "Nationals acquire Sean Burnett from Twins for cash considerations". Federal Baseball. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Hickey, John (August 25, 2016). "A's trade Marc Rzepczynski to Washington Nationals". The Mercury News. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Adams, Steve (September 26, 2016). "Pirates Acquire Chris Bostick From Nationals". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
- ^ Allen, Scott, "Presidents' Race at Nats Park will be smaller with Taft's retirement to Florida," washingtonpost.com, February 24, 2017.
- ^ 2016 Washington Nationals
- ^ "2016 Major League Baseball Attendance".
- ^ baseball-almanac.com Washington Nationals Attendance Data
- ^ Castillo, Jorge, "Wilson Ramos throws out the first pitch before Game 1 of the NLDS," washingtonpost.com, October 7, 2016, 10:54 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Janes, Chelsea, "Dusty Baker, Dave Roberts first African American managers to match up in postseason," washingtonpost.com, October 6, 2016.
- ^ a b c Janes, Chelsea, "NLDS Game 1: Dodgers top Nationals as Clayton Kershaw bests Max Scherzer," washingtonpost.com, October 7, 2016, 9:58 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b Fendrich, Howard, "Kershaw, Seager, Turner lead LA past Nats 4-3 in NLDS opener," washingtonpost.com, October 7, 2016, 11:12 p.m.
- ^ Zuckerman, Mark, "NLDS Game 2 postponed until Sunday at 1:08 p.m. (updated)," masnsports.com, October 8, 2016, 3:48 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Payne, Marissa, "Adam LaRoche and his son are throwing out the first pitch at Nats' Game 2," washingtonpost.com, October 5, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Wallace, Ava, "Best and worst moments from the Nationals' 5-2 Game 2 win over the Dodgers," washingtonpost.com, October 9, 2016, 5:40 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b Boswell, Thomas, "With Jose Lobaton's homer, Nats head west with momentum in their carry-ons," washingtonpost.com, October 9, 2016, 8:23 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b c d e f g Janes, Chelsea, "Unlikely hero Jose Lobaton's three-run homer evens Nats and Dodgers in NLDS," washingtonpost.com, October 9, 2016, 5;20 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Kilgore, Adam, "On Baseball: Nationals bullpen comes up big in Game 2 of NLDS," washingtonpost.com, October 9, 2016, 8:20 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b Castillo, Jorge, "After shaking off some rust, Daniel Murphy is in October form once again," washingtonpost.com, October 9, 2016, 6:38 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b c d e Castillo, Jorge, "Werth, Rendon homer and bullpen steps up as Nats take 2-1 series lead," washingtonpost.com, October 10, 2016, 8:48 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b Boswell, Thomas, "With two shots to knock out the Dodgers, the Nats are in the driver's seat," washingtonpost.com, October 10, 2016, 11:14 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Janes, Chelsea, "Nationals get to Clayton Kershaw, but bullpen finally breaks as Dodgers force Game 5," washingtonpost.com, October 11, 2016, 9:13 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Boswell, Thomas, "With Bullpen and Balance, Nats HAve Reason To Be Confident," The Washington Post, October 13, 2016, p. D7.
- ^ Lee, Forrest, "Los Angeles Dodgers edge Washington Nationals, send NLDS to Game 5," upi.com, October 12, 2016, 2:25 AM.
- ^ a b Allen, Scott, "Game 4 best and worst: Dodgers even series with 6-5 win over Nats," washingtonpost.com, October 11, 2016, 8:56 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Berg, ted, "Did retired Nationals pitcher Livan Hernandez wear baseball pants to a baseball game?," usatoday.com, October 13, 2016, 9:31 p.m. EDT.
- ^ Kilgore, Adam, "The Nationals' season, and maybe their reputation, comes down to Game 5," washingtonpost.com, October 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c Castillo, Jorge, "Nationals fall to Dodgers, 4-3, in decisive Game 5 of NLDS," washingtonpost.com, October 14, 2016, 1:04 a.m. EDT.
- ^ a b c d e Janes, Chelsea, "," washingtonpost.com, July 5, 2016, 8:10 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b c Castillo, Jorge, "Max Scherzer replaces Stephen Strasburg on National League all-star roster," washingtonpost.com, July 8, 2016, 4:59 p.m. EDT.
- ^ a b c espn.go.com National League All-Star roster
- ^ Castillo, Jorge, "Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos win Silver Slugger Awards," washingtonpost.com, November 10, 2016, 6:43 PM EST.
- ^ a b c Castillo, Jorge, "Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos win Silver Slugger Awards," washingtonpost.com, November 10, 2016, 6:43 PM EST.
- ^ a b c d Axisa, Mike, "MLB Awards: Nationals' Max Scherzer named 2016 NL Cy Young winner," cbssports.com, November 16, 2016.
- ^ a b Janes, Chelsea, "Nationals' Max Scherzer wins 2016 NL Cy Young Award," washingtonpost.com, November 16, 2016, 8:29 p.m. EST.
- ^ Anonymous, "Max Scherzer's case for the Cy Young award," The Washington Post, November 17, 2016, Page D5.
- ^ "Footer, Alyson, "Grand finale: MLB Awards put cap on season," mlb.com, November 1−8, 2016". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c MLB Awards 2016[permanent dead link]
- ^ Janes, Chelsea, "Anthony Rendon named National League Comeback Player of the Year," washingtonpost.com, November 29, 2016.
- ^ "Newman, Mark, "Call it a comeback: Porcello, Rendon honored," mlb.com, November 29, 2016". MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.